Australian soldiers will be solar-powered

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Soldiers carry a lot of gear when out in the field. The load would be backbreaking for anyone without the necessary strength and training. Of course, on top of all the gear, modern soldiers need to carry battery packs as well, including different battery packs for different items. Researchers at the Australian National University have recently created wearable solar panels for use in war.

The solar panels can generate up to 140 watts of power. They can operate in heat up to 150 degrees Farenheit and can be rolled up for easy storage. At 45 microns thick, the panels are thinner than a human hair follicle.

The awesomeness doesn’t stop there: They can be worn on the helmet, uniform, or backpack. When at rest, the soldiers can lay them over the tent. Being nearly weightless, these panels would remove multiple pounds from the soldier’s back if they are operating in daylight conditions.

Despite their thin profile, they can match conventional solar panels in terms of efficiency. Light, flexible solar panels also have non-military applications. For instance, anyone in need of battery juice for their iPhone or similar device could use these highly portable solar panels to fill the battery to capacity.

The wearable solar panel technology is notable step forward in making missions significantly less clunky. Would you wear solar panels to charge your gadgets?